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When I was little, my grandparents, mom, uncles and aunts used to tell me stories of their childhood and life in Sri Lanka. My mom told me stories of her days climbing trees, eating fresh fruits off tree and running track for her school. One of her brothers told me about his days woeing girls with his charm and looks. My Patta (grandfather), told me about his days as police chief; going through the jungle looking for rebels but found a monkey and kept him as a pet. And I remember another uncle telling me how he watched man get burned alive right in front of him for being a Tamil. I remember my amamma (grandma), telling me that she had to get my mom to the neighbours house and they both watched as the army burned their house down.

The civil war in Sri Lanka forced a lot of Tamils such as my mom and her family to immigrate to several different western countries; Canada England, Australia. Yet, no matter how far you go, the terrors of war will always follow you. My family was fortunate enough that they were out of the country before the conflicts go worst. But most people around the world aren’t fortunate enough.

Over a billion people all around the world are impacted by civil conflicts, terror, discrimination, and war. Death, illness, poverty hunger, and fear surrounds their lives. Pictures of war, dying and hungry children, blood, and death have been plastered on media outlets including movies, videos games and music videos. However, I think people have become desensitized from these images, articles, and reports. We care too much of our own daily struggles that we forget that people around the world are dying from these traumatic conflicts.

Just because it isn’t happening here doesn’t mean it isn’t happening. What if the roles were switched? Wouldn’t you want someone to care, to fight for your freedom, to make it all go away so you could live peacefully? No one deserve to live in fear. No one should live in fear.

I urge you to watch the following video from Save the Children entitled “Most Shocking Second a day video”. I urge you to open your eyes and ears and understand that, that little girl could be your sister, mom, daughter, friend, wife, lover or even you. No one will ever understand the extent of what these children face in Syria and all over the world. But the video will make you reflect.

Reflect on your choices, and be grateful for the freedoms, rights and security that you have been granted. Be grateful that you are allowed to have a voice and are not living in fear. I urge you to take a stand and pursue your governmental officials to intervene, to save the children and the vulnerable.

Coming into university I had an idea of who I wanted to be and how I would achieve it. However, all those ideas, thoughts and opinions have completely changed. My life has been one heck of a roller coaster ride, anyone who knows me can attest to that. Looking back, to where I stand now is completely different than where I was a year ago or two years ago. It’s weird to think that so much has changed in such little time. But looking back through all these changes, I can truly say that I am completely happy with where I stand now, and as much as I hated those changes I am glad that they happened. I have learnt a lot about myself and what is truly important. The following are some of the main life lessons that I have learnt over the years.

Shit happens and it will completely tear your world upside down but you shouldn’t let that defeat you.

As Simba eloquently points out “Sometimes bad things happen, and there’s nothing you can do about it, so why worry?” . No one can control the future. Things happen unexpectedly all the time which can completely throw you off your game. But you shouldn’t let that affect you. I mean obviously, you are going to be upset but what is the point of letting that affect your day to day life? What is the point of letting that affect your goals in life. You can’t change what has happened, you can only accept it and learn to live and grow from it. Don’t let your past interfere with your future. You still have a full life ahead of you so continue living and prospering. So with that, its important to continue trucking along at the hardest of times

Follow your heart even if no one else agrees with it, you have to learn from your own mistakes

I will finally admit that I am very stubborn. I cant count how many times my family or friends have given me advice which I neglected to take until I finally realized that I should have. I tend to follow my heart, which has lead me to make a few mistakes over the years, but those mistakes have helped me become the person that I am today. I don’t regret any of the choices that I have made because of this. I stand behind all my decisions and I am grateful that I have learnt from everything. And with that Be yourself, don’t change for anyone. Be yourself, follow your heart and do the things that you think is best for you.

Do the things that you love, even if its small like drinking a chai tea. Being happy is important

I remember hearing a quote by John Lennon

“When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down ‘happy’. They told me I didn’t understand the assignment, and I told them they didn’t understand life.”

I think it is extremely important to do the things that you love no matter what hey are; even if it’s small things like singing in the shower or just dancing awkwardly in your room. Happiness is the key to life. Without being happy what do you have really? What do you have to look forward to? I think that every decisions that I have made in my life, I have questioned if it would make me happy. I mentioned before I am one to follow my heart. I do things that make me happy because it makes life more fulfilling

Your family members can be hard asses at times but they always have your best interest at heart

There have been many moments in my life where my opinions have clashed with my parents. Looking back on those moments I understand why they made those decisions and wanted me to do things differently. I think it’s fair to say that I have grow to understand and value my parents opinions even if I may not agree with a few. Family will always be hard asses because they can. Everyone needs those few people to tell you how it is and I’m grateful that my family is able to do that. Even if it may take me awhile to accept it. I understand why they wanted those things for me and appreciate that those decisions have also helped me become the person that I am today.

Family comes in different shapes and forms.

Ever since I was little, I created many different families, field hockey family in high school, first year family, indevours family, doning family, blood related family. Family comes in different shapes and forms. I love that I have many unique families to support me through the different things in my life. I love that meeting all of these unique individuals has also added to the expansion of my horizons and perspectives on the world. I have learnt a lot about who I am and what I value through being a part of these different families.

But what I have truly learnt and will always take to heart is the importance of the people you surround yourself with. How their love, inspiration and admiration will continue to help you through anything. They will take your crap but will be there no matter what.

I expect that my list of life lessons will continue to grow as my journey continues and a series of different life events continue to unfold.

And with that I ask you, what life lessons have you taken to heart and learnt throughout the years?